Composite doors have been a firm favourite amongst Hertfordshire and Middlesex homeowners for many years now. But in the last couple of years, there has been considerable interest in the ‘new door on the block’ aka aluminium entrance doors.
As our enquiries steadily increase, we thought we’d take a minute to answer the question that seems to be on everyone’s lips, with a few more added in for good measure!
Composite door vs aluminium entrance door – which is stronger?
Offering a high strength-to-weight ratio and three times stronger than timber, aluminium is one of the strongest door materials around. Therefore, as aluminium entrance doors can typically be manufactured around 30% larger than a composite door, this allows it to outshine the advantages of the composite door. Although, it’s important to remember that strength can vary depending on the quality of the product.
This isn’t to say that composite doors are not strong, because they are. For example, our collection of composite doors from the highly acclaimed Solidor range combine a notably secure timber core with a robust thermo-plastic ABS door skin. However, other than steel, if you’re looking for incomparable security and strength to match your contemporary aluminium windows, an aluminium entrance door is definitely the way forward.
Composite vs aluminium – which entrance door lasts the longest?
Composite doors have an average lifespan of around 35 years. Whilst impressive, aluminium entrance doors can last up to an astonishing 45 years or longer if well maintained.
Chase Windows installations provide full guarantees for a minimum of 10 years.
Can an aluminium entrance door fade?
Actively resisting discolouration, fading and corrosion, aluminium entrance doors are ideal for applying textured and timber-effect finishes to. Intelligently ingraining the finish into the door skin, high-performance, strength and sophistication come as standard with an aluminium entrance door – looking just as good as it did from day one for well over 20 years.
Aluminium entrance door vs composite – most likely to reduce energy bills?
U-values measure how easily heat can pass through a material, so the lower the U-value the better the material is at retaining heat. Since 2010, all new doors must have a U-value rating of 1.8W/m2K or less. Composite doors from Solidor have a noteworthy maximum U-value of 1.5 W/m²K. However, aluminium entrance doors come out on top for energy efficiency – for example, our CHA500 aluminium entrance doors can achieve dramatic U-values of 0.8 W/m²K.
1. HOW THERMALLY EFFICIENT ARE ALUMINIUM ENTRANCE DOORS?
In previous years, aluminium entrance doors haven’t been rated for their energy efficiency, due to their high conductivity and poor insulation characteristics. But thanks to door manufacturing breakthroughs in the last decade this definitely isn’t the case anymore, thanks to ‘thermal breaks’ or ‘thermal barriers’ being incorporated into their construction. Thermally broken aluminium entrance doors proactively stop conductive thermal energy loss by embedding a non-conductive barrier in between the inner and outer aluminium panels. This stops valuable heat transferring between them, saving homeowners money on future energy bills whilst keeping as much winter warmth in as possible.
2. ALUMINIUM ENTRANCE DOORS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT AND SLENDER
Aluminium boasts incredibly lightweight properties, which means aluminium entrance doors are able to utilise more glass within their design without compromising on security or strength. As well as being lighter and slimmer than composite doors, aluminium weighs 67% less than steel; making it much less likely to warp over time.
3. HOW LONG DO ALUMINIUM ENTRANCE DOORS LAST FOR?
Compared to composite doors, aluminium entrance doors have an incredible life expectancy of 10-15 years longer; lasting up to 45 years whilst remaining low maintenance and stress-free.
4. LARGER APERTURE POSSIBILITIES
Aluminium is fabulously flexible, so aluminium entrance doors can be manufactured around 30% bigger than composite doors. This provides limitless possibilities when it comes to formulating a creative and individual entrance door design, giving you true creative freedom! Able to achieve stunning contemporary and traditional aesthetics alike, complex shapes and designs can be accommodated with ease and finesse.
5. SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Not all composite doors can be recycled, although our range from Solidor can, however, aluminium is much more energy efficient. As the third most abundant element in the world, aluminium is one of the world’s most sustainable building materials around – with estimates suggesting that 75% of all aluminium ever produced is impressively still in use to this day.
Open up new possibilities with a high-performance aluminium entrance door
With so much choice at your disposal, including aluminium French doors, aluminium Bi-fold doors and aluminium sliding doors, if you’re searching for a trustworthy installer, contact us today to discuss your opportunities further.